'Scandal': Watch the intense first minutes of next week's new episode -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

Just as controversy surrounding torture scenes featured in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirtyhas started to dissipate, ABC’s Scandal could reignite the flames of discussion with a graphic torture scene that will be featured in its next new episode, airing Jan. 10.

In the last new episode of Scandal, Huck (Guillermo Diaz) was arrested under the Patriot Act and accused of attempting to assassinate President Grant (Tony Goldwyn) – a crime for which he is not guilty. After the episode, Diaz hinted to EW in a post-mortem Q&A that an unpleasant encounter with officials was on the horizon for his character in light of his arrest. “His past has prepared him for what’s coming – but I can’t say what is,” he said. “It’s not going to be good.”

And it isn’t. The exclusive clip below shows that Huck has been taken and subjected to torture as a means of interrogation, including beatings and waterboarding.

Tell us what you think after watching below. [Note: Viewer discretion is advised…]

Catch two special encore episodes of Scandal tonight on ABC and tune in Jan. 10 at 10 p.m. ET for an all-new episode.